Mills River Scouts plan to add shade to dog park

Collin (left) and Connor Miller explain their Eagle Scout project idea to Mills River Town Council members Thursday evening. The twin 12-year-old boys want to build shelters over two benches at the Mills River Park dog park to provide shade for visitors and their pets.

Nancy Tanker/Times-News

By Nancy TankerTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 9:21 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 9:21 p.m.

Collin and Connor Miller of Boy Scout Troop 622 in Mills River take their Scout motto, “Be prepared,” very seriously.

On Thursday, they addressed the Mills River Town Council about their idea for an Eagle Scout project: building shelters over two benches in the Mills River dog park to provide shade for dog owners and their pets.

They came armed with cost estimates, building plans, a schedule of when construction would take place, a miniature model mockup and answers to council members' questions.

Their work paid off, as they received unanimous approval from the council to build the two shelters, as long as they can gain approval from their regional WNC Boy Scout Council and fund the project.

“These boys have done their homework,” said Mayor Roger Snyder. Addressing the twin 12-year-old boys, he added, “If you put all the hard work that you've put into this into everything else, you'll be very successful.”

The boys are entering eighth grade this school year at Rugby Middle.

“Our Scout leader's wife told us about the lack of shade at the dog park,” Collin said.

So they started brainstorming ideas, and a plan took shape.

“They've got cost estimates for everything, from nuts to bolts to various roofing,” their dad, Mike Miller, said at the meeting.

The boys estimate each shelter will cost less than $250 to build. They're hoping to lower that cost by using donated supplies.

<p>Collin and Connor Miller of Boy Scout Troop 622 in Mills River take their Scout motto, “Be prepared,” very seriously.</p><p>On Thursday, they addressed the Mills River Town Council about their idea for an Eagle Scout project: building shelters over two benches in the Mills River dog park to provide shade for dog owners and their pets.</p><p>They came armed with cost estimates, building plans, a schedule of when construction would take place, a miniature model mockup and answers to council members' questions. </p><p>Their work paid off, as they received unanimous approval from the council to build the two shelters, as long as they can gain approval from their regional WNC Boy Scout Council and fund the project.</p><p>“These boys have done their homework,” said Mayor Roger Snyder. Addressing the twin 12-year-old boys, he added, “If you put all the hard work that you've put into this into everything else, you'll be very successful.”</p><p>The boys are entering eighth grade this school year at Rugby Middle. </p><p>“Our Scout leader's wife told us about the lack of shade at the dog park,” Collin said. </p><p>So they started brainstorming ideas, and a plan took shape. </p><p>“They've got cost estimates for everything, from nuts to bolts to various roofing,” their dad, Mike Miller, said at the meeting.</p><p>The boys estimate each shelter will cost less than $250 to build. They're hoping to lower that cost by using donated supplies. </p><p>“And maybe we can get some money donated by our troop,” Collin said. “And our dad might fund some.”</p><p>“That's part of being a dad,” Mike Miller said with a laugh.</p><p>The boys estimate it will take them a few more months to create final designs and begin construction. Each shelter will take about a day to build. </p><p>Council members wished the boys success getting final approval from the Scouts and asked for two weeks' notice before construction started, in order to rope off the area.</p><p>“Otherwise, you'll get licked to death” by the dogs, Snyder said.</p><p>Reach Tanker at 828-694-7871 or nancy.tanker@blueridgenow.com.</p>